Kidney Cancer

[dftolle]

There is a 2.5 cm mass on my left kidney found a month ago that we have to assume is cancer, so I am looking to get a partial nephrectomy. But here is my issue - I am told by my doctors and everything I have read that there would be no pain associated with this tumor. I have pain on my left side which started about 8 months ago as a sharp cramp that passed quickly. Now it is increasing in intensity and duration - it is sharp and seems to spread until my left side and back are on fire. It appears about every 12 to 24 hours and will wake me from a sound sleep. I take Tylenol and wait for it to become a dull ache so I can go back to sleep. I had a colonoscopy to be sure my colon was not involved, but I got a clean bill of health on that. Has anyone else experienced pain that you are not supposed to have? I have had a CT scan and an MRI both which did not show anything out of the ordinary.

Thanks for your input!
Deb

[gborin]

I do not like to give opinions on medical matters, but if you enter Kidney Cancer under conditions on the left and then hit symptoms you will find out that your pain as described is a symptom of Kidney Cancer. I too had similar pains which went away after my 2.6 cm tumor was removed along with my kidney. You will do just fine without the tumor and without part of the kidney. Six and 1/2 years ago the only option offered me was the removal of the whole left kidney..

[dftolle]

Thanks for sharing your experience. We have looked at all the possibilities and I am left thinking it is the cancer causing my pain, but I don't want to overlook other possible problems. I am stressed enough dealing with the decisions to make and getting this over. Your post helped me relax a bit.